Third excavation set for Plummer Sports Park

Plummer Sports Park in Edwardsville has proven to be a site of some archaeological interest, with a number of artifacts being found there. The discoveries triggered two earlier mitigation efforts, with a third now likely.

At a recent Administrative and Community Services Committee meeting, it was decided that since the site of the park has been the subject of both Phase One and Two mitigation efforts, the city would sign a Professional Services Agreement for a Phase 3 mitigation effort and study to be carried out by Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT). Phase Three would call for a full excavation.

Ryan Zwijack, the city engineer, said that CMT found what might turn out to be important archaeological items in one part of the proposed park site, which means that in order to be sure of what is there, a full dig—which would be Phase 3—is necessary. Zwijack said the third phase is an extension of the original agreement, and the city would provide an excavator as well as the operator. The city would pay the costs for the project, which are estimated at $61,000.

Thus far, some items discovered include a cistern, part of a wall, and a number of small ceramic pieces, dating from the early to mid-1800s.

Occasions like this present an opportunity for officials to incorporate unusual items in a logo design for the facility.